Glanbia Nutritionals debuts low-dose ATP for avant-garde energy and sports beverages

28 Feb 2024 --- US-based food science company Glanbia Nutritionals introduces OptiATP, a new optimized form of Adenosine 5-Triphosphate (ATP) that is stable in low pH/high acid and high heat ready-to-drink beverage processing environments. The company says the ready-to-drink (RTD) solution, initially launched on the North American market, is ideal for use in energy and sports beverages. 

“Until now, formulating beverages containing ATP has been a challenge because standard sources of ATP degrade rapidly under typical high-heat beverage processing conditions and over the shelf life of the finished beverage,” says Schreck, product marketing associate at Glanbia Nutritionals. 

The company incorporated TSI Group’s PeakATP ingredient developed with patented encapsulation technology, making ATP 46% more stable after 12 months and 59% more stable after six months in aseptic hot-fill processed ready-to-drink beverages. 

Boosting biological cellular energy
ATP comprises a ribose sugar, an adenine base and three phosphate groups connected by high-energy phosphate bonds. PeakATP, the main ingredient in OptiATP, improves muscle power output and increases strength, power and lean body mass while reducing muscle and mental fatigue. Glanbia Nutritionals is currently working to develop other applications for OptiATP.

“We are further exploring its use under neutral pH and carbonated beverage processing and within other high-heat processed applications, like gels and gummies. This will allow brands to diversify their energy and sports product offerings further, providing their consumers additional ways to receive the benefits of ATP,” says Schreck.

ATP enhances the biological cellular energy process. Six human clinical studies reflect its benefits in supporting many areas within athletic performance, muscle growth and recovery. The ingredient boosts endurance, muscle growth, strength and recovery without giving users the jitters or energy crashes.

The latest clinical study on PeakATP, by researchers from the University of Central Florida, demonstrated improved mental clarity, focus and reaction times post-exercise due to the nootropic ingredient. The findings were published in Frontiers in Nutrition. ATP can solve these imbalances.

ATP guide
The release of energy from ATP supports vital cellular activities such as muscle contraction and the synthesis of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and generates electrical impulses in nerve cells. It repairs cell membranes and cellular signaling. 

ATP signaling specifically works in neurotransmission, muscle contraction, cardiac function and cognitive response.

OptiATP meets the current consumer demand for products targeting multiple energy and performance-related needs — from sustaining energy to refueling or recovering. While ingredients like caffeine still dominate, more people are looking for functional, non-stimulant ingredients.

According to Glanbia Nutritionals, standard sources of ATP degrade rapidly under typical high-heat beverage processing conditions and jeopardize the shelf life of the finished beverage. OptiATP is a more stable form for use in RTD formulations.

By Inga de Jong